Lent 2019 – Building Hope

Lenten Almsgiving Project

This Lent, our family of four parishes are partnering with Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity with the goal of raising $50,000. Our parishes will work with a family to help build a house in memory of long-time Habitat volunteer and parishioner, Mike Moran. Mike served with Habitat for 25 years and died this past fall. Please prayerfully consider giving generously in time and money as we help to build an entire house for a family in need. Make checks payable to “Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity” and place in the collection basket during Lent, on Holy Thursday or at Easter Masses. You may also make an online donation at http://milwaukeehabitat.org/donate/give-online/ (please add “Family of Four Parishes” in the comment section). Contact Pastoral Associate of Formation and Justice, Chad Griesel, at grieselc@archmil.org or 414-271-6180 with any questions.

Volunteer Registration

Our Habitat for Humanity home build with Dedra and Carson will begin May 11th. Please prayerfully consider giving generously of your time. Everyone 16 years and older is invited to volunteer and no experience is necessary; Habitat for Humanity provides leadership and guidance for everything. There are many dates to choose from to volunteer and this will be a great chance to build community with our parishioners, serve our neighbors, and have fun along the way! To volunteer:

1) Go to http://tinyurl.com/familyoffourhabitat to access the Parish registry and waiver.
2) Follow the link to access the Habitat for Humanity registry and waiver, following the prompts:
-Go to: http://4parishes.mkehabitat.volunteerhub.com/ (No join code needed.)
-Participants will both “create an account” as a user (or sign in if you have used the system before) AND register for a specific build event. You will receive one email about creating an account and one with all the project details.
-A reminder email is also sent 3 days ahead of time. Participants can sign up online up to 24 hours before the start of the event.

To volunteer on these builds or for more information regarding volunteer opportunities and our build schedule, contact Associate Director of Youth, Young Adult and Service Ministries, Nino Rebholz, at rebholzn@archmil.org or 414-271-6577.

More detailed information can be found in the links below:
Group Volunteer Online Sign Up Detailed Instructions
Dedra – Future Homeowner
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Information 2019
Family of Four Parishes 2019 Build Schedule

This Lent, as we journey together as a family of four parishes and in companionship with Habitat for Humanity, our theme is “Building Hope.” When you study the Sunday readings for this Lent, a sense of hope and a new future emerges from the stories of the Israelites coming out of Egypt. In Paul’s letters he points us forward to the hope of the resurrection – our faith, our hope is not in vain because Jesus died and rose again to save us. The Gospel accounts demonstrate Jesus being like us, yet without sin, giving us a glimpse of heaven on the mountaintop, teaching us that our God is merciful beyond measure and Jesus himself does not condemn us but gives us hope and new life.

As we partner with Habitat for Humanity and their mission of bringing hope to people’s lives through building new homes, “Building Hope” became our theme. No matter the challenge we face in life, we have hope in Jesus Christ. Whether we are on the mountaintop or in the depths of the valley, we have hope in Jesus Christ. If we are far away from God or God’s closest companion, we have hope in Jesus Christ. We also need to bring hope to a world that is becoming more and more hopeless each day. It is because of this hope in Jesus Christ and the resurrection that we focus more closely on our prayer life, fasting and almsgiving each Lent. We do not go on this journey in vain, but full of hope.

“It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ Jesus. “ Philippians 3

“So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God; For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5

Prayer, Formation and Service Opportunities during Lent

Don’t we all need to “build hope” in the sense of desiring ever more the kingdom of heaven and eternal life? Don’t we need to “build hope” for our world – especially the homeless and the poor – now more than ever? The following are some of the opportunities for us to “build hope” for ourselves and for others this Lent:

Ash Wednesday Masses – March 6

Ash Wednesday Visits to Homebound – March 6

Lenten Book Study – Evicted

Family Holy Hour – March 9

Taizé Prayer – March 13 & April 8

Communal Reconciliation – March 16

Eat, Drink & Be Catholic: Brian Sonderman, Habitat for Humanity – March 20

Family Justice Brigade – March 31

St. Joseph’s Tavolata – March 24

Catholic East Fish Fry – March 15, 29 & April 12

Prayer and Stations of the Cross during Fish Fry – March 15, 29 & April 12